“It’s not easy being Norman.“ The trailer for ParaNorman, the new stop-motion 3D animated feature being released today by the makers of Coraline, hints that Norman doesn’t have many friends and isn’t like all the other kids in town. In fact, Norman talks to the dead. When an evil witch threatens his town, Norman must use his gift to save his community from destruction. Sounds like life isn’t always a piece of cake.

Well, it’s not always easy making dinner, either.

Does repeatedly ruining dinner have you feeling down?

Sometimes we all feel down. But don't let a botched dinner ruin your night -- Cooking Channel has the tips to bring your dinner back to life.

Have you ever burned the souffle? Charred the bread? Mistaken sugar for salt (yikes)? We’ve got five easy dinner disaster fixes to bring you back from the edge, and bring your dinner back from the dead.

Excited cocktail drinkers filled the The New York Public Library for the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.

The past weekend, New York City’s ardent cocktail connoisseurs had good reason to celebrate at the 2012 Manhattan Cocktail Classic. This annual, one-of-a-kind affair offers an endless variety of refreshing sips to hundreds of black-tie clad cocktail enthusiasts in the stunning four level New York Public Library, complete with live music, fabulous entertainment and sumptuous cocktail snacks. Around every winding corridor and twisting staircase waited another cocktail surprise.

After careful and painstaking research, we’ve identified this year’s hottest cocktail trends. Get this year’s trends, plus recipes to try at home after the jump.

At Cooking Channel, we’re especially excited to celebrate, since our office is located in the New York City Food Person landmark Chelsea Market. The first Oreo rolled off the line 100 years ago at NBC, or the National Biscuit Company, in the space were Chelsea Market currently stands.

And what better way to celebrate than by fusing Oreos with what every person, pet, and cookie deserves on its birthday: BIRTHDAY CAKE.

That’s right: The flavor gurus at Nabisco have created a new birthday cake-flavored Oreo complete with rainbow sprinkle-flecked creme (obviously). And you better believe this Cooking Channel staffer tore open a box and tasted these birthday-cake bites of bliss.

This time of year, there’s tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to put to use. Whether it’s blueberries, heirlooms, corn, squash or eggplants you crave, we’ve got recipes galore to get you going. From Bal Anerson’s Zucchini Paneer to Kelsey’s Cucumber, Meyer Lemon and Lavender Granita, we couldn’t help but notice how Cooking Channel Fans have been keeping up to date with the summer’s freshest bounty. With all the great reviews, twists and tweaks piling up, we’re back for another call out to the ones that caught our attention.

“YUM… a super easy/fast recipe with intense flavor. I used an herb-garlic goat cheese — it’s what we had in the fridge. My wife loved it. I loved it. I’d make this for guests. Thanks Giada!!!” — digrst in Southern California